Baseball team play organizer

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a magnetic organizing apparatus for a baseball team. The organizing apparatus comprises a board, a frame, and a plurality of rectangular nameplates. The board has a perimeter and opposing surfaces. The frame is positioned around the board and is offset outward to a distance perpendicular to the opposing surfaces. Indicia in the form of a baseball field and a baseball diamond are located on one of the opposing surfaces. The rectangular nameplates are releasably attached to the board magnetically and overly the baseball field and the baseball diamond to the opposing surfaces. The frame provides a means for aligning the rectangular nameplates in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation with nameplate edges engaged against the frame and with the frame acting as an alignment guide for the rectangular nameplates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to team sports and organization, in particular to training and game-time organizing apparatuses. More specifically, the present invention is primarily intended as a baseball player field position organizing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In team sports, competitive team organization is critical to success in training and actual game play. In baseball, in particular, organization of both the offensive and defensive positions benefits both players and coaches alike. Many devices have been created to teach and instruct team players by showing the various field positions on the playing field, However, the needs of these organization devices are many, including clean organization, quick and unlimited modification of the diagram of team players and positions, and the alignment and protection of the diagrammed position devices themselves still remain.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,780, which issued to Bricker, discloses a baseball field and batting lineup apparatus that includes a display board having an image of a baseball field on the display board. The Bricker apparatus includes two sets of tokens, one for tracking current field positions on the baseball field image or the lack of assigned field position on the dugout region and the second set for noting the current batting order of the players on the batting lineup region. However, the Bricker apparatus does not appear to teach the alignment and protection of the tokens while on the display board.

In like manner, U.S. Pat. No. 402,700, which issued to E. S. Van Zile, discloses a Bulletin Board and Base Ball Indicator. The Van Zile device teaches a baseball indicator consisting of a bulletin board having a diagram of a baseball field with the positions of the players marked thereon, and a series of indicating markers each bearing a color, number or other distinguishing mark to denote a player, whereby the progress of the game maybe set out as dispatches are received from the field. The Van Zile device, however, does not allow for the quick and unlimited modification of the pins showing where team players can be located in field positions nor does it appear to teach the alignment and protection of the pins themselves.

It is therefore important and necessary that an organizing apparatus be developed that provides a magnetic baseball team play organizer for use in baseball team training and play. The organizing apparatus must cleanly organize and display all offensive and defensive positions, allow quick interchange of nameplates at an unlimited number of baseball field positions, provide an alignment guide and protection for the nameplates of the team members, and be easy to use and manufacture.

Other objects of my invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the United States, the rules of youth baseball differ from the rules of college baseball as well as the rules of professional baseball insofar as players in organized youth baseball can be substituted from inning to inning and then allowed to continue to play. This stands in marked contrast to professional rules where once a player is removed from the lineup during a game the player cannot re-enter and continue to play in the game. The baseball team play organizer of the present invention enables a manager and/or coach of a youth baseball team to readily re-align the baseball lineup from inning to inning so that it becomes easier for the team manager and/or coach as well as players to communicate and know where they should be on the field and/or on the bench from inning to inning.

The present invention thus provides a baseball team play organizer. According to the present invention an organizing apparatus is provided comprising a board, a frame, and a plurality of rectangular nameplates. The board has a perimeter and opposing surfaces. The frame is positioned around the board and extends outward a distance perpendicular to the opposing surfaces. Indicia in the form of a baseball field and a baseball diamond are located on one of the opposing surfaces. The rectangular nameplates are releasably attached to the board and overlie the baseball field and the baseball diamond indicia marked upon one of the opposing surfaces. Notably, the frame provides a means for aligning the rectangular nameplates in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation with nameplate edges engaged against the frame and with the frame acting as an alignment guide for the rectangular nameplates. In a preferred embodiment, the rectangular nameplates are magnetically attachable to the board and the distance of the frame's outward extension is greater than the height of the rectangular nameplates thereby providing the alignment guide.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a magnetic baseball organizing apparatus that comprises a board having a perimeter and opposing surfaces, and indicia in the form of a baseball field being located upon one of the opposing surfaces. The organizing apparatus further comprises a plurality of nameplates magnetically attachable to the board over the indicia, the nameplates each having edges. A frame is positioned around the perimeter of the board and extends outward from the board for aligning the edges of the nameplates against the frame in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation.

Finally, in another embodiment, the present invention provides a sports organizing apparatus that comprises a board having a perimeter and opposing surfaces with indicia placed thereon and a frame positioned around the board and extending from the opposing surfaces. This embodiment further comprises a plurality of nameplates, each having edges. The nameplates are magnetically attached to the board overlying the indicia on one of the opposing surfaces in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation with the nameplate edges engaged against the frame. The offset frame has an inside frame edge or frame which acts as an alignment guide for the nameplates. Preferably the frame is offset and acts as a stop for nameplate end edges of each nameplate to be engaged in edgewise engagement and the magnetic forces holding the engaged components in aligned engagement for ease in installation. Thus, the indicia or player's names can be easily read by the players and thus provides a coaching aid for the team manager and/or team coaches.

The present invention therefore provides a baseball team play organizer for use in baseball team training and play. The organizing apparatus cleanly organizes and displays all offensive and defensive positions, allows quick interchange of nameplates at an unlimited number of baseball field positions, provides an alignment guide and protection for the nameplates of the team members, and is easy to use and manufacture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of my invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following detailed description of my patent drawings, as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an application of the organizing apparatus in display and usage;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a board and a frame;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 showing the board, the frame, and a nameplate, the frame extending outward from the board;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the nameplate of the present invention showing a magnetic slide holder and a slide; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the organizing apparatus in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention concerns an organizing apparatus that is particularly used in baseball and is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-5. As discussed above in the Background of the Invention, it is very important in team sports, particularly in baseball, to provide an organizing apparatus that cleanly organizes and displays all offensive and defensive positions, allows quick interchange of nameplates at an unlimited number of baseball field positions, provides an alignment guide and protection for the nameplates of the team members, and is easy to use and manufacture. The present invention can provide these key features and can satisfy these needs.

It is not intended that the present invention be limited solely to baseball organizing devices, rather it is intended that the scope of the present invention also includes other team sports and athletics, such as soccer, basketball, and football and the like.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an organizing apparatus 10, is disclosed and is used, in particular, for the team sport of baseball. In other embodiments, the organizing apparatus is known as a magnetic baseball organizing apparatus and a sports organizing apparatus. The organizing apparatus comprises a board or magnetic back plate 12, a frame 14, and a plurality of magnetic nameplates 16 as is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The magnetic back plate is magnetically cooperable with the magnetic nameplates thus permitting the nameplates to be adjustably and removably attachable together.

The board 12 and frame 14 of the preferred embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and provide the structure upon which the baseball team training and game organization exists and operates. Critical to performance, the board 12 has a perimeter 18 and opposing frame edge or frame surfaces 20 while the frame 14 is positioned around the board 12 and extends outward a distance 22 perpendicular to the opposing surfaces 20 so as to be offset. The extension of the frame 14 beyond the plane 24 of the board 12 provides the critical alignment guide and protection features discussed below.

Indicia 26 in the form of a baseball field 28 and a baseball diamond 30 are located on one of the opposing surfaces 20, as shown in FIG. 1. The indicia 26 provide the various diagrams used for baseball team training and for game play. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia 26 comprise infield 32, outfield 34, a bench 36, and a batting order 38. A pitching order could be added or could replace either the bench 36 or the batting order 38 as needed. As shown in FIG. 1, the batting order 38 and the bench 36 are positioned on opposite sides of the infield 32 and thereby provide a clean and clear organization with sufficient room for unlimited player position diagramming to assist coaching and visualization. Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the infield 32 comprises home plate 40, first base 42, second base 44, third base 46, and a pitching mound 48 while the outfield 34 comprises left field 50, center field 52, and right field 54.

The plurality of nameplates 16 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. In a preferred embodiment, the nameplates are rectangular and are releasably attached to the board 12 using magnetic attachment and overly the baseball field 28 and the baseball diamond 30 to the opposing surfaces 20 along with all of the other baseball symbols, including the batting order 38 and the bench 36 mentioned above. Other shapes of the nameplates (i.e. square, polygonal, and so forth) could be used but, as stated, I prefer the rectangularly shaped nameplates as shown. Usage of magnets allows the nameplates 16 to be positioned in an unlimited number of locations upon the board 12 for training, coaching and actual game play purposes. As shown in FIG. 4, the nameplates 16 include a magnetic slide holder 56 or magnet (as it is known in other embodiments) and a slide 58 or paper slide (as it known in other embodiments). The slide 58 is removably attached to the magnetic slide holder 56 and has a writing surface 60 thereon for displaying a name 62 or position or the like. This nameplate structure allows nameplate interchangeability whereby the slide 58 can be replaced and removed as the needs or members of the baseball team change.

A key feature of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is that the frame 14 provides a means for aligning the nameplates 16, which are preferably rectangular, in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation 64 with nameplate edges 66 engaged against the frame 14 and with the frame acting as an alignment guide for the nameplates 16. In this way the present invention provides a clean organization. Moreover, the extension of the frame 14 beyond the plane 24 of the board 12 the distance 22 provides the critical alignment guide and protection of the nameplates 16 as the distance 22 is greater than a height 68 of the individual nameplates 16 as shown in FIG. 3.

Finally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the organizing apparatus 10 comprises a hanging means 70 for supporting the organizing apparatus during usage and display at the baseball field 72 or on a fence 74 or the like.

In use and construction, the organizing apparatus 10 is easy to use and to manufacture and the simplicity of the device should also result in lower manufacture costs. The board 12 can be constructed of metal so as to provide the magnetic capabilities of the present invention. The board can be sized to approximately 18 inches by 12 inches using 22 gauge material. The frame 14 can be made of wood, metal, plastic, rubber and the like and can be sized to approximately 19¾ inches by 13⅝ inches. The indicia 26 can be art work made by plastic coated “stick-on” materials that will adhere to the board materials although other art materials can be used. The indicia then can fill the approximately 18 inch by 12 inch surface 20. The magnet 56 of the nameplates 16 can be sized to approximately 2 inch by ½ inch size and the paper slide 58 to approximately 1 11/16 inch by ⅜ inch and can be reversible so that more than one side of the paper slide is usable. Finally, the hanging means 70 can include approximately 2 inch rings with latch hooks and the like for hooking the organizing apparatus to fences and the like.

In construction and in use the present invention therefore provides an organizing apparatus with specific usage in baseball cleanly organizes and displays all offensive and defensive positions, allows quick interchange of nameplates at an unlimited number of baseball field positions, provides an alignment guide and protection for the nameplates of the team members, and is easy to use and manufacture.

While the above description contains much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. Thus, the present invention teaches A magnetic baseball organizing apparatus, comprising a magnetic backplate structure, a plurality of magnetic nameplates bearing the names of baseball players, and a frame positioned around the perimeter of the magnetic backplate structure and offset outwardly from the magnetic backplate structure engaged with nameplate edges of the nameplates securing the nameplates in right angular engagement with one of said frame edges to locate the nameplates in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation having a perimeter and opposing surfaces, indicia in the form of a baseball field on one of the opposing surfaces. The preferably rectangular magnetic namplates are magnetically attachable to the magnetic backplate structure over the indicia, and each nameplate comprises edges. Notably, the nameplates are repositionable upon the magnetic backplate from right angular engagement with one of said frame edges to a selected field position.

The baseball organizing apparatus may further comprise hanging means for supporting the apparatus during usage and display. The magnetic nameplates may be further defined by comprising a magnetic slide holder and a slide, the slide removably attached to the magnetic slide holder and having a writing surface thereon for displaying a name. The indicia preferably include an infield, an outfield, a bench, and a batting order, the bench and the batting order being positioned on opposite sides of the infield. The infield preferably comprises home plate, first base, second base, third base, and a pitching mound and the outfield comprises left field, center field, and right field, the infield being centered and overlying said magnetic backplate. The indicia preferably further comprise a pitching order, the pitching order overlying said magnetic backplate.

The present invention further teaches an organizing apparatus comprising a board having a perimeter and opposing surfaces; a frame positioned around the board and extending outward a distance perpendicular to the opposing surfaces, indicia in the form of a baseball field and a baseball diamond on one of the opposing surfaces; and a plurality of magnetic rectangular nameplates, the rectangular nameplates being releasably (magnetically attachable) attached to the board and overlying the baseball field and the baseball diamond to the opposing surfaces, the frame providing a means for aligning the rectangular nameplates in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation with nameplate edges engaged against the frame and with the frame acting as an alignment guide for the rectangular nameplates.

The board of the organizing apparatus is preferably constructed of metal, the frame is preferably constructed of wood, metal, plastic, or rubber, and the indicia are preferably constructed of a plastic coated sticker. Each rectangular nameplate preferably comprises a magnet and a paper slide removably attached to the magnet, the paper slide displaying a name thereon. Hanging means may are further disclosed as part of the organizing apparatus. The hanging means are attached to the frame and support the organizing apparatus during usage and display.

The indicia of the organizing apparatus may further comprise home plate, first base, second base, third base, a pitching mound, an outfield, a batting order, and a bench. The batting order and the bench indicia are preferably positioned adjacent the frame on opposite sides of the baseball field and baseball diamond, the plurality of rectangular nameplates being magnetically attachable to the board overlying the batting order and the bench. The indicia may further preferably comprise a pitching order positioned adjacent the frame on a side of the baseball field and baseball diamond, the plurality of rectangular nameplates being magnetically attachable to the board overlying the pitching order.

Notably, the frame of the organizing apparatus extends a distance outward from the board for aligning the edges of the nameplates against the frame in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation. Preferably, the frame extends a distance outward from the board, the nameplates having a height, the distance being greater than the height for aligning the edges of the nameplates against the frame in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation.

Thus, it is contemplated that the present invention discloses a sports organizing apparatus comprising a board having a perimeter and opposing surfaces with indicia placed thereon; a frame positioned around the board and extending from the opposing surfaces; and a plurality of nameplates having edges, the nameplates being magnetically attached to the board overlying the indicia on one of the opposing surfaces in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation with nameplate edges engaged against the frame, the frame acting as an alignment guide for the nameplates.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment several alternative embodiments, it is not intended that the novel assemblies be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings. 

1. A magnetic baseball organizing apparatus comprising: a magnetic backplate structure having a perimeter and opposing surfaces, indicia in the form of a baseball field on one of the opposing surfaces; a plurality of magnetic nameplates bearing names of baseball players, the namplates being magnetically attachable to the magnetic backplate structure over the indicia, the nameplates having edges; and a frame positioned around the perimeter of the magnetic backplate structure and offset outwardly from the magnetic backplate structure engaged with nameplate edges of the nameplates securing the nameplates in right angular engagement with one of said frame edges to locate the nameplates in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation.
 2. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 1 further including hanging means for supporting the apparatus during usage and display.
 3. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the magnetic nameplates include a magnetic slide holder and a slide, the slide removably attached to the magnetic slide holder and having a writing surface thereon for displaying a name.
 4. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 3 wherein the magnetic nameplates are rectangular.
 5. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 4 wherein indicia the indicia includes an infield, an outfield, a bench, and a batting order.
 6. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 5 wherein the bench and the batting order are positioned on opposite sides of the infield.
 7. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 5 wherein the infield comprises home plate, first base, second base, third base, and a pitching mound and the outfield comprises left field, center field, and right field, the infield being centered and overlying said magnetic backplate.
 8. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 5 the indicia further comprising a pitching order, the pitching order overlying said magnetic backplate.
 9. The magnetic baseball organizing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nameplates are repositionable upon the magnetic backplate from right angular engagement with one of said frame edges to a selected field position.
 10. An organizing apparatus comprising: a board having a perimeter and opposing surfaces; a frame positioned around the board and extending outward a distance perpendicular to the opposing surfaces, indicia in the form of a baseball field and a baseball diamond on one of the opposing surfaces; and a plurality of rectangular nameplates, the rectangular nameplates being releasably attached to the board and overlying the baseball field and the baseball diamond to the opposing surfaces, the frame providing a means for aligning the rectangular nameplates in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation with nameplate edges engaged against the frame and with the frame acting as an alignment guide for the rectangular nameplates.
 11. The organizing apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of rectangular nameplates are magnetically attachable to the board.
 12. The organizing apparatus of claim 10 wherein the board is constructed of metal, the frame is constructed of wood, metal, plastic, or rubber, and the indicia are constructed of a plastic coated sticker.
 13. The organizing apparatus of claim 10 wherein each rectangular nameplate comprises a magnet and a paper slide removably attached to the magnet, the paper slide displaying a name thereon.
 14. The organizing apparatus of claim 10 further comprising hanging means attached to the frame and supporting the organizing apparatus during usage and display.
 15. The organizing apparatus of claim 10 wherein the indicia comprises home plate, first base, second base, third base, a pitching mound, and an outfield.
 16. The organizing apparatus of claim 15 wherein the indicia comprises a batting order and a bench positioned adjacent the frame on opposite sides of the baseball field and baseball diamond, the plurality of rectangular nameplates being magnetically attachable to the board overlying the batting order and the bench.
 17. The organizing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the indicia further comprises a pitching order positioned adjacent the frame on a side of the baseball field and baseball diamond, the plurality of rectangular nameplates being magnetically attachable to the board overlying the pitching order.
 18. The organizing apparatus of claim 10 wherein the frame extends a distance outward from the board for aligning the edges of the nameplates against the frame in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation.
 19. The organizing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the frame extends a distance outward from the board, the nameplates having a height, the distance being greater than the height for aligning the edges of the nameplates against the frame in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation.
 20. A sports organizing apparatus comprising: a board having a perimeter and opposing surfaces with indicia placed thereon; a frame positioned around the board and extending from the opposing surfaces; and a plurality of nameplates having edges, the nameplates being magnetically attached to the board overlying the indicia on one of the opposing surfaces in side-by-side, vertically-aligned relation with nameplate edges engaged against the frame, the frame acting as an alignment guide for the nameplates. 